NEW DELHI: At least 11 people, including three children, lost their lives on Saturday after a residential building collapsed in the northeastern outskirts of New Delhi, according to local authorities and media reports.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in a densely populated area primarily inhabited by migrant workers. Rescue operations continued throughout the day as teams worked tirelessly to search through the debris.
Eleven bodies were recovered, while another 11 individuals were rescued and transported to a local hospital. Of those injured, five remain under medical treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragedy. “Saddened by the loss of lives,” his office posted on X (formerly Twitter), offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
President Droupadi Murmu, whose official residence is approximately 20 kilometres from the collapse site, also shared her grief, calling the deaths — especially of women and children — “deeply saddening.”
The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
Political Accusations Over Illegal Construction
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra attributed the tragedy to ongoing corruption within the city’s municipal administration, which is controlled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), formerly led by ex-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Taking to X, Mishra claimed: “Illegal construction is rampant. Surveys and strict action against such buildings are urgently needed.”
Eyewitnesses and local media described the four-storey structure as collapsing suddenly, “like a stack of cards,” suggesting possible structural weaknesses or unauthorized modifications.
Recurring Issue in Urban India
Building collapses are unfortunately common in India, especially in urban slums where illegal or substandard construction is widespread. Migrant workers, often unable to afford safer housing, are among the most vulnerable to such incidents.
The tragedy has once again sparked calls for stricter regulation and enforcement to prevent similar disasters in the future.
